Construction of the new Welcome Center is well underway at the main entrance of campus. Work on the building began during summer 2016 and is expected to be completed by January 2018.

Positioned at the main entrance to provide a welcoming first impression to prospective students and their families, the Welcome Center structure complements this strategic location with a building of iconic character derived from the historic architecture of President's Hall. The design conveys a tradition of academic excellence, Catholic heritage and university history.

Materials for the exterior of the building were selected to connect to the historic nature of the Seton Hall campus and to reflect continuity with Stafford Hall and President's Hall. The design incorporates varied red stone, slate roofs and copper trim. A standout feature of the design is a copper roof and new cross at the steeple over the main entrance. Also, a large expanse of glass will spotlight the pre-function space to allow the activity within the building to be visible from the exterior.

The Welcome Center will be a multipurpose space designed for campus event programming. It will also serve as a dedicated, central local for admissions activities. The consolidation of admissions activities will offer a welcoming first impression for campus tours, student admissions and the guidance process.

"The new building will provide visitors a welcoming space. It unifies admissions, providing a better interaction with prospective students in a pleasing environment as well as offering a wonderful event space and meeting rooms for our students," said Alyssa McCloud, Vice President for Enrollment Management.

The completed building will be 68,222 square feet over three levels. The first floor will contain an admissions suite, event room(s), lobby and the pre-function/gallery space. The second floor will feature a space for admissions, two meeting rooms, and additional seating for the event room(s). The third level will contain mechanical and storage space. There will also be a 50-space parking garage underneath the building.

A hallmark of the Welcome Center design is flexibility to meet the needs of the Seton Hall community. The main event space can be divided to accommodate multiple and variably sized events. The room(s) will accommodate 200 to 750 people lecture style or 500 seated at tables depending on the configuration. The center will also be outfitted with a catering kitchen to support event functions.

The Welcome Center will be fully accessible and meet all ADA requirements. Elevators will serve all floors, including the underground parking.

This construction is part of the Campus Master Plan. The current master plan incorporates several key projects in addition to the Welcome Center, including the renovation and expansion of the University Center and the new Health and Medical Sciences campus in Nutley/Clifton.